Proprietary School Certification

The following provides information for individuals and institutions that want to offer postsecondary education in Missouri, schools currently approved to operate, and students and prospective students.  The central focus of the Proprietary School Certification Program is consumer protection. This is accomplished through the establishment of standards for school operation and monitoring of those operations to ensure students are treated in a fair and equitable manner and receive education and training consistent with the published objectives of the instructional programs and the school. Use the links below and on the right to access the most commonly used pages, including how to apply for initial approval to operate in Missouri.

New School Approval Process

Interested in starting a new school? The following guides and examples are to help users complete the initial application for starting a new school:

Exemption

Certain types of schools are not subject to the certification program requirements. Exemption, as this status is called, must be granted by the MDHEWD based on the submission of an application. 

Missouri Business Portal

The state's business portal provides information about other requirements for starting a business in Missouri such as registration, filings, licenses, and permits required by other agencies.

Missouri Small Business Development Council

The Missouri Small Business Development Council offers personalized services to help start a business in Missouri.

MOSourceLink

This is a small business resource for the state of Missouri. MOSourceLink provides a monthly newsletter highlighting tips and trends to help small businesses.

Recertification 2025 - 2026

The annual certification period for schools is July 1 - June 30. Each certified school must recertify its authorization to operate each year. The next recertification cycle opens January 1, 2025. Complete applications are due by March 15, 2025. Failure to submit the complete recertification application will result in late fees. 

Currently Certified Schools

If you have credentials for the EDvera system, you may log in. MDHEWD staff have developed an EDvera User Manual for Certified Schools to assist in preparing and submitting required documents.

Proprietary School Fees

 

Application for Certification*$660
Application for Exemption $100
Application to Establish a Branch Campus$500
Application to Establish an Extension Site$100 
New Program Review$500
Continuing Education (up to 15 programs)$100
Continuing Education (more than 15 programs)$500
Substantive Change Review$250

Non-Substantive Change Review 

(Program Name, CIP Code, Tuition, Fee, Books only)

No Charge
Change of Ownership, Name, or Location $100
Student Record Verification (per copy)$10
Late Fee (per day)**$10

*The Application for Certification fee will be credited toward the applicant school's initial certification fee of $660. 

**Late fees are charged per day (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) and will not exceed a maximum of $1,500. Late fees are assessed on certified schools that fail to respond, within a time frame to be stated in official correspondence, to the department's request for information or documentation related to recertification, grievances, department site visits, or probation. 

NOTE: Certified schools are responsible for travel expenses for all members of a department on-site review team when such review is scheduled in response to concerns raised by accreditors, students, or the general public. 

Unaccredited, degree-granting schools seeking certification to operate in Missouri may be required to undergo a site visit by department staff and external consultants with expertise in higher education. The applicant school is responsible for all reasonable costs associated with the site visit. 

Closed School Information

The Proprietary School Certification Program strives to maintain information on closed schools in Missouri. In some instances, the Department maintains the actual records although it make no claims for having records in their entirety.

If your records are available from the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, you will be directed to submit $10 (payable via electronic payment, check, or money order) for each official transcript. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development.  Do not submit payment unless you have been advised your records are available at the DHEWD.

For more information, please refer to the Closed School Information page.

CDL Schools Information

Schools offering or seeking to offer entry-level CDL programs, CDL endorsement, CDL refresher, or CDL restriction removal programs must ensure policies meet or exceed the minimum guidelines established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Failure to meet minimum standards may result in denial of these programs by the Department, please see the CDL Training Provider Authorization Handout for introductory information about becoming authorized to operate in Missouri.

Consumer Information

Consumer information about this sector of education, including a closed school FAQ and information on how to choose a school.

Colleges and Degrees

Information about a Missouri postsecondary education institution or programs offered in Missouri.

Planning & Paying For College

Information about how to plan for college and resources about grants & scholarships and other forms of financial aid. 

Journey to College

Resources to help students throughout their higher education journey. 

Site Visits

Proprietary School Certification Program staff conduct regular on-site evaluations of schools. These evaluations include interviews with faculty and staff, observation of classes and school operations, surveys of students and graduates, and reviews of institutional and student records.

Regulations

Missouri statutes authorize the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to develop and administer, through the MDHEWD, rules and regulations for the oversight of proprietary schools in the state.

Rules for Certification of Proprietary Schools - Code of State Regulations (CSR)

6 CSR 10-5.010 https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/current/6csr/6c10-5.pdf (effective on July 31, 2024)

For more information about starting a school in Missouri visit the New School Approval Process: https://dhewd.mo.gov/higher-education/psc/edvera

Missouri Statutes for Certification

The rules and regulations for the proprietary school certification program are based on the authority granted to the MDHEWD in sections 173.600 through 173.619 of the Revised Missouri Statutes. The standards and criteria contained in these statutory provisions provide the framework for the program requirements.

Missouri Revised Statutes

Other Information

It is important to note that the term "proprietary" in the title of this program is somewhat ambiguous. Although private, for-profit schools are within the jurisdiction of the program and comprise the largest number of certified schools, tax status is not the central factor in determining whether a particular school is subject to the requirements of the program and must submit an application.